December 17, 2006

I'm beginning to like global warming, for December to be so warm means Nitro and I can have nice comfortable rides together. We started today in the ring, Can't believe Nitro is doing anything in the ring but since we've been doing gymkhana he's liking it. We walked around the ring once or twice but I could sense Nitro was anxious to get started so I aimed him at the first of four barrels set up in a large square and he took off down the line to the second where he had to make a sharp turn to the next then a dash back to the start. He loves it especially the last dash to the gate. I never have to do anything but sit him as he charges to the gate and stops on a dime just before blowing through it. I turned him and he did another set even faster, and a third faster yet. Nitro seems to know he is in some form of competition. I remember when Deanna would ride to the house with those big fox hunter horses and we'd take off for the woods me on Nitro and how he would flank the big charging horse with Deanna galloping until I'd let loose the last bit of rein and how Nitro would breeze by to Deanna's surprise. Or how at the end of a hunter pace Nitro would always gallop past the finish line no matter how grueling the pace was. His little legs could move like lightning bolts nostrils flaring and sounding like a steam engine. I always like to reward Nitro at some point during a ride so after the ring we ran up the grass hill flat out, then I place my hand on his withers and he stopped to eat some. That's his favorite cue. I was so happy with him today that I dismounted loosened his girth and let him indulge in comfort. after a while we walked back to the barn together, it was a 10 day as far our time together goes. most of all our time together is a 10. Walking back I wished that I was strong enough to carry him just once, to lift his weight and run with him. What a goof it would be. Nitro had a good laugh and thought he would get a kick out of it too.